Written question asked by Steve Barclay (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2011. It was answered by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Monday, 19 December 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Diplomatic Service: Languages

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal qualifications in languages are linked to additional remuneration for his Department's staff.

Answer: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) language exams are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The following qualifications are linked to remuneration:"FCO Extensive exam, CEFR level C2, the most advanced level of fluency.""FCO Operational exam, CEFR level C1, roughly equivalent to degree level.""FCO Confidence exam, CEFR level A2, enabling them to deal confidently with routine everyday issues in the foreign language."FCO Confidence and Operational examinations are validated by the Chartered Institute of Linguists.All FCO officers serving overseas in speaker slots (Confidence, Operational or Extensive) are entitled to claim additional remuneration for the duration of their overseas posting, provided they have passed the appropriate examination.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 87142; 537 c968-9W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Diplomatic Service: Languages
Monday, 6 February 2012
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Diplomatic service Languages
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk